A MONMOUTHSHIRE church has been awarded more than £50,000 of National Lottery funding.

St Cybi’s Church in Llangybi has received a confirmed grant of £53,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the ‘Keeping St Cybi’s Church Llangybi Open to All’ project.

The church, which falls within the Usk ministry area, is in need of crucial repairs to the roof structure and ceiling as well as eroded areas of the south wall. There are also plans to produce interpretative and educational resources for visitors of all ages.

St Cybi’s church contains several rare medieval wall paintings. The project aims, by carrying out the essential repairs, to restore this ancient church to sound condition so that conservation work can then be carried out to bring the wall paintings to the best possible condition for future study and enjoyment. Interpretive leaflets and activities will be produced to help visitors, young and old, to understand and enjoy the church and its wonderful paintings.

A church has stood on this site for over 700 years and bears many intriguing clues to its history and to the people who have worshipped there over the centuries. There is an ancient healing well close by, and memorials to many of its past inhabitants. It has been the focal point for Christian worship for hundreds of years and is treasured by worshippers and visitors alike.

Churchwarden of St Cybi’s Sue Hiscox said: “We are thrilled that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. Although we have kept up worship during these last years, we are so much looking forward to seeing the whole church open again, and able to offer welcome to all who come here.”

Richard Bellamy, Head of HLF Wales said: “Wales’ historic and diverse places of worship are so often at the heart of our communities. Thanks to National Lottery players HLF funds urgent structural repairs and also improved facilities and visitor information. St Cybi’s Church is an excellent example of how HLF can help conserve a much loved building so it can continue to serve its local community.”